DEMETRI RAMLOGAN

Project Overview

My idea was to use Video Production with small hints of Motion Graphics to capture the essence of building mas, gearing into Toronto Caribbean Carnival. I want to bring awareness to all the hard work, good energy, and the atmosphere of each "mas band" through social media. This year, I believe I have struck gold in where I can record footage and add my own personal flair of video editing and minor motion graphics. Three "bands" (which are separate brands that have multiple sections within them) have offices right beside each other and I am a familiar face in two of them. Being able to shoot raw footage of real people, in real environments, along with my motion graphics will help promote the Carnival, the bands, and the culture.

Project Goal

The goal of this project is to create three distinct 15-second videos that highlight different aspects of the Toronto Carnival mas experience. Each video will serve a specific purpose:

• "Hype" - Capture and convey the vibrant energy of the mas camp with music, drinks, DJs, people playing games, and socializing, emphasizing the excitement of reconnecting with others.
• "Build" - Showcase the intricate process of building mas, including the various sizes, wiring, featherwork, beads, backpacks, and design alterations, highlighting the craftsmanship and creativity involved.
• "Culture" - Present the rich history and cultural diversity of the mas bands, featuring the faces behind the scenes, different countries and flags, and possible authentic quotes from builders to celebrate the Caribbean heritage and community strength.

Personal Relevance

Since the age of 18, I've been introduced to Toronto Carnival through some family friends to donate my time to DJ for the most prominent mas bands, Saldenah (Winners for over 20 years). From that time, I've been immersed into my Caribbean heritage and have done a deep dive into the festival and mas. It means a lot to me to be able to showcase my culture through a project like this. I am very passionate about my cultural identity and this will pave another piece of the road towards that.

Technology Used

• After Effects
• Premiere
• Illustrator
• Audition
• Photoshop
• Serato DJ
• ChatGPT for proofreading

Storyboarding

Storyboard 1: "Hype"

• [0-2s] Wide shot of the lively mas camp with people mingling.
• [2-4s] Close-up of a DJ and their controller.
• [4-7s] People playing games, laughing, and socializing.
• [7-10s] Close-up of drinks being poured and people toasting.
• [10-13s] Group dancing energetically.
• [13-15s] Close-up of smiling faces, diverse group, frolicking.

Storyboard 2: "Build"

• [0-2s] Close-up of hands wiring a frame.
• [2-4s] Different sizes of costume frames are being worked on.
• [4-6s] Close-up of feathers being meticulously attached.
• [6-8s] Beads being threaded and glued onto costumes.
• [8-11s] Designers referencing sketches and prototypes.
• [11-13s] Seamstresses making alterations to costumes.
• [13-15s] Full view of a completed mas costume being admired.

Storyboard 3: "Culture"

• [0-2s] Panning shot of the mas camp with various flags hanging.
• [2-4s] Close-up of a veteran mas builder working.
• [4-6s] Different builders working on various aspects of the costumes.
• [6-8s] Close-up of a section of a costume being detailed.
• [8-10s] Flags of different Caribbean countries.
• [10-12s] Walkthrough of the mas camp showing different costumes in progress.
• [12-15s] Close-up of builders smiling, proud of their work.

Outcome

Plans change. And that’s okay. Not every great idea will come to mind right away when you start the project and others will come to you as soon as you're halfway through or even almost at the end. Opportunities arise that push things back a little more, but it’s worth it in the end.

I met my project goals by creating three different 15-second videos that showed the energy, creativity, and culture of the Toronto Carnival mas building and promotional experience. I had to change my timeline and storyboards twice, but it was worth it because the final videos turned out great.

The main challenge I faced was coordinating filming schedules with the mas bands. I also had to be flexible when new opportunities, like the Toronto Caribbean Carnival launch at Scarborough Town Center, came up and changed my plans.

I learned that the Toronto Carnival is a big cultural event that takes a lot of preparation, creativity, and teamwork. The process of building mas is detailed and requires a lot of skill and dedication from everyone involved. They are still building and promoting mas for the next month and a half.

I've learned to trust in my gut feeling a bit more and go for the jump. I learned that I can handle complex projects and adapt when things change. I also realized that trusting my instincts and being open to new ideas can lead to even better results.